Resources to Support Our Immigrant Communities

Know Your Rights as SDEA members:

See an overview of the protections available in California law, our SDEA Contract, and District policies in our new Know Your Rights flyer about Protections for Immigrant Communities.

Important things for educators to remember:

San Diego Unified Resources:

• Resources: SDUSD Equity – Lots of updated resources!
• SDUSD Policy Overview
• Posted in offices – Have a plan in case of an ICE emergency

Red Cards:

These cards from the ILRC are to inform citizens and non-citizens of their rights if an immigration official comes to their door.

Note: These are not for educators to distribute to students, for your protection. Check with your site rep for more information.

SDEA supported in printing 20,000 cards in English & Spanish to give to reps at the Feb 5 Rep Council. Representatives picked up cards to give to principals, who have directions from the District on how to utilize them.

Resources for Educators: 

• CTA Home Is Here: Supporting Immigrant Educators, Students, and Families
• United We Dream: How U.S. Citizens Can Protect Immigrants
• United We Dream: Psychotherapy Strategies for Resilience
• Legal FAQ: Immigration Enforcement FAQs for K-12 Schools

Community Resources:

• ACLU Know Your Rights Videos – English / Spanish – NEW Aug 2025
• Axios: Different types of warrants in public vs private places
• NILC: Know Your Rights Under the U.S. Const.
• United We Dream: Know Your Rights
• United We Dream: 9 Tips to Find Good Legal Help
• FIRM: ICE in Schools – What to Do?
• United We Dream Student Guidebook
• National Korean American Services & Education Consortium: 
  • Bilingual wallet card
  • Brochure in Korean & in English 
• Immigration Advocates: Immigration Service Providers Web Page
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
  • ILRC Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan (Available in English, Spanish & an abridged version) – ADDED Aug 2025
• iAmerica: Immigrant justice resources from SEIU
• Immigrant and Refugee Children: A guide for educators & support staff

DACA – Frequently Asked Questions

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a policy that allowed certain individuals who met program requirements to request a grant of deferred action. 

See a variety of FAQs from AFT & uploaded by UTLA:

• FAQs for Immigrant Students K-12
• FAQs for Educators
• FAQs for Educators/Students and SS Prov

Keep in mind that things are changing quickly at the federal level. If you find that any of these resources are out of date or have broken links, please reach out to kennedy_s@sdea.net.